ARGENTINA: GERMAN INFLUENCE

IN THE CULTURE

Maria Belen Petruolo Lobo

Summary

INTRODUCTION. ....................................................................................................................... 3

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER ..................................................................................................... 3

1. ARGENTINA ....................................................................................................................... 4

2. IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ............................................................................................. 5

1) Ties between Germany and Argentina ............................................................................ 5

3. CULTURE OF ARGENTINA ............................................................................................. 8

Popular culture ............................................................................................................................ 8

Nationals Holidays. ................................................................................................................... 11

CONCLUSION. ......................................................................................................................... 13

Bibliografía .................................................................................................................................. 14

INTRODUCTION.

Migration has become an increasingly important phenomenon for societies.

Patterns of migration flows can change greatly over time, with the size and

composition of migrant populations reflecting both current and historical

patterns of migration flows. (Euroestat, 2011)

Argentina has been an attractive destination for migration. Migratory

movements have influenced and shaped the argentine society historically, and

continue to do so today (Benencia, 2012). Thanks to the migrations flow over

the past century’s Argentina and Germany had close ties to each other.

Germans who emigrated directly from Germany were assimilated with the upper

middle class of Buenos Aires, but maintained strong ties to German culture

providing high-quality German instruction so that their children would not be at a

disadvantage when they returned to Germany (Wikipedia,The Free

Encyclopedia, 2014). At the early 21 century this situation was possible thanks

to severe economic crisis in 2001-02, when a considerable among of European

descendents decided to return to their grandfather’s land.

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER

The main aim of this paper is explain, the influence of Germany in Argentine,

the closed ties between both countries and the Argentine culture. Therefore is

necessary to introduce Argentina, the influence of the immigration focused on

the German immigration and give an overview of the argentine culture.

1. ARGENTINA

According to (Rock, 1987) “ The name Argentina is derived

from Latin argentum ("silver", plata in Spanish), a noun associated with

the silver mountains legend, widespread among the first European explorers

of the La Plata Basin”.

The Argentine Republic is a federal republic located in South America. With a

mainland area of 2,780,400 km2 (Censos., 2010), Argentina is the eight- largest

country in the word, the second in Latin America and the largest Spanish-

speaking one. It is bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north; Brazil to

the northeast; Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east; Chile to

the west.

Argentina’s geography varies considerably, from its extensive grasslands in the

east to the impressive Andes mountain range in the west, where the Aconcagua

(6957km), the highest summit in the western hemisphere, soars upwards. From

Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes offer a great variety of landscapes: from

the high tableland in the northeast-dessert, with valleys, ravines and

multicolored mountains-to the lakes, forest and glaciers regions in the

Patagonia. To the north, The Argentina Mesopotamia, located between the

Parana and Uruguay rivers, is an area of low hills. The Iguazu Falls, one of the

most spectacular natural wonders in the word are in the midst of the subtropical

forest. The country’s central region is where the most well-know and extensive

grasslands (Nacion.).

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an

export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base (DC: Central

Intelligence Agency, 2013 ).

2. IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION

Upon the independence of Argentina, the newborn country had a large territory

but was thinly populated, and like the other Latin American countries, the ethnic

composition was largely the same from the colonial-era that lasted from 16th to

early 19th centuries. Then, in the mid-19th century, a large wave of immigration

started to arrive to the country due to newly established Constitutional policies

that encouraged immigration, and due to issues in the Old World such as wars,

poverty, hunger, social unrest and pursuit for opportunities or a better life in

the New World. This immigration was mostly from Europe but also from

the Arab world, Russia and Japan (Sanchez-Alonso).

Most Argentines are descendants of the 19th and 20th century immigrants, with

about 97% of the population being of European, or of partial European descent

(Word statesmen.org).Arab descent is also significant (mostly

of Syrian and Lebanese origin), and the Jewish population is the biggest in

all Latin America (7th in the world). Mestizo population in Argentina, unlike in

other Latin American countries, is very low, as is the Black population after

being decimated by diseases and wars in the 19th century, though since the

1990s a new wave of Black immigration is arriving. (DC: Central Intelligence

Agency, 2013 ).

1) Ties between Germany and Argentina

Migration to and from Germany has a long history. There is also a long tradition

of emigration from Germany: in smaller numbers during times of prosperity, in

greater numbers during times of economic depression or political instability.

One example is the emigration in the 19th century hundreds of thousands who

left misery and poverty in Germany to seek new lives in Russia, South America,

Canada and the United States. (Interior, 2014).

Argentina and Germany had close ties to each other since the immigration of

Germans to Argentina. Between 1885 and the First World War the population of

Argentina doubled with the influx of three million European immigrants, 100,000

of whom spoke German. (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014)

A flourishing trade developed between Germany and Argentina as early as the

German Unification, Germany had a privileged position in the Argentine

economy. Later on, Argentina maintained a strong economic relationship with

both Germany and Great Britain and supported them with supplies during World

War I (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

The military connection between Argentina and Prussia has often been

emphasized, and there can be no doubt that sympathy for Germany among the

general staff in Buenos Aires contributed to establishing Argentina's policy of

neutrality during the two world wars (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

After World War II, under Juan Perón's government, Argentina participated in

establishing and facilitating secret escape routes out of Germany to South

America for ex-SS officials (referred as ODESSA network). Former Nazi officials

Immigrated to Argentina in order to prevent prosecution, some of them lived in

Argentina under their real names while others clandestinely obtained new

identities. (Goñi, 2002)

During the temporary Argentinean Occupation of the Falklands in 1982,

Argentina was prepared to remove its troops if they could be replaced by

"neutral" ones. Their suggestion was that the USA could represent Britain while

Germany would do so for Argentina, however Germany and the rest of

the European Union, fully recognize fellow EU state the United Kingdom as the

rightful owners of the islands and refuse to recognize the Argentine claim.

(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

Argentina was benefited and influenced by the arrived of a big wave of

professional Germans immigrant, most of them dedicated to Science. Germans

scientist influenced the education in Argentina. They found centers of study and

most of them turned into university teachers. Engineers, architects conducted

many public works, ports, bridges, temples, schools, etc. One of the most

important symbols of the city of Buenos “El obelico” was designed by architect

Alberto Prebisch, an Argentine of German descent, and was built by the

German company Siemens GEOPE- Bauunion - Grün & Bilfinger. Another

example is The Mercado de Frutos de Avellaneda (152,000 meters square), the

largest wool-stock of the world, was built by a German.

The influence of German culture has also impacted Argentine cuisine; this trend

is especially apparent in the field of desserts. The pastries known as facturas

are Germanic in origin: croissants, known as medialunas ("half-moons", from

German "Halbmond"), are the most popular of these, and can be found in two

varieties: butter- and lard-based. Also German in origin are the "Berliner" known

as bolas de Fraile ("friar's balls"), and the rolls called piononos. The facturas

were re-christened with local names given the difficult phonology of German,

and usually Argentinized by the addition of a dulce de leche filling. That was

also the case of the "Kreppel", which are called torta fritas in Argentina, and

were introduced by German immigrants, and similar case with the "Achtzig

Schlag" cake, which was translated as Torta Ochenta Golpes in the country. In

addition, dishes like chucrut (sauerkraut) and many different kinds of sausage

like bratwurst and others have also made it into mainstream Argentine cuisine

(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014)

Today, most German Argentines do not speak German at home because of the

decline of the language; however, some estimates suggest that 1.8

million Argentines of non-German descent have some knowledge of German. It

is a language that can be heard all over the country, and this is partly

maintained by the continued existence of German-speaking Argentines and

some business connections. It is currently the fifth most spoken language in

Argentina (DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013 )

3. CULTURE OF ARGENTINA

The culture of Argentina is as varied as the country's geography and is

composed of a mix of ethnic groups. Argentine writer Ernesto Sabato has

reflected on the nature of the culture of Argentina as follows “With the primitive

Hispanic American reality fractured in La Plata Basin due to immigration, its

inhabitants have come to be somewhat dual with all the dangers but also with

all the advantages of that condition: because of our European roots, we deeply

link the nation with the enduring values of the Old World; because of our

condition of Americans we link ourselves to the rest of the continent, through

the folklore of the interior and the old Castilian that unifies us, feeling somehow

the vocation of the Patria Grande San Martín and Bolívar once imagined”

(Sabato, 1976).

Popular culture

One of the Characteristics of the Argentine culture is the National identity. The

Argentine flag, the national anthem, and the escarapela (a small ribbon or bow

worn on patriotic occasions) are the objects of officially prescribed rituals that

must be followed by the population at the risk of serious sanctions. (Advameg,

Inc., 2014)

The development of a National Identity started with the Peronism,

an Argentine political movement based on the legacy of former President Juan

Domingo Perón. Perón was often compared to fascist dictators, accused of

demagoguery, and his policies derided as populist. (Wikipedia,The Free

Encyclopedia, 2014). The ideology of the legacy of Peron is often compared to

the ideology of Nationalism in Germany. (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia,

2014)

The educational system played an important role in incorporating a national

identity into the nation. Despite regional and class differences, state institutions

were quite successful in developing nationalist feelings. (Advameg, Inc., 2014).

The population at large feels very strongly about these symbols: they display

flags when the country is participating in world soccer cup matches or in war. At

a popular level, large drums are always also present at any massive

demonstration (Advameg, Inc., 2014).

Argentineans' most famous symbols are Football and Tango, but they are not

the only ones, food is also a powerful cultural symbol.

A. Tango

Tango refers to the music, the lyrics, and the dance itself and is a complex

urban product that originated in lower-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires city.

The music, its lyrics, and the dance represent the profound transformation of

the urban landscape at the beginning of the twentieth century, with the influx of

diverse European immigrants. Tango was also a moral threat. The sensuality of

the dance and the lyrics emphasizing lowlife values and language challenged

bourgeois morality and dominant views on appropriate female behavior

(Advameg, Inc., 2014).

B. Football

Football is Argentina's most popular sport, the one with the most players and is

the most popular recreational sport, played from childhood into old age (INDEC,

2000)

Football plays an important part in the life of many Argentines. Even those

supporters who usually do not attend the matches watch them on television and

comment on them the next day with friends and co-workers. When the

Argentina national football team plays (especially during world cup matches),

streets tend to look completely deserted as everyone is watching the match.

After the victories in 1978 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup, streets

were flooded with people celebrating the championship, making it impossible

not to become part of the celebration (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

It was in 1986 when the figure of Diego Maradona exploded, becoming an icon

not only of Argentine football but of football itself. In Argentina, Maradona

became something resemblant of a god, admired by fans of every club

(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

Argentine fans are not allowed to travel to see their teams in away matches, as

they have been banned since 2013 (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

There are many local rivalries in Argentine football. The most important is the

Superderby, which is contested between Argentina's two most popular and

successful teams, Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors. The

English newspaper The Observer put the Superclásico at the top of their list of

"The 50 Sporting Things You Must Do Before You Die". (50 sporting things you

must do before you die, 20004)

C. .Food

Argentine asado, a barbecue that is part of the gaucho heritage, is still one of

the most important meals in the Argentine diet. Like football, it is a strongly

gendered cultural symbol, associated with manliness. Shopping for beef,

sausages, and other animal parts that go into a barbecue, as well as the

cooking itself, is a male activity (Advameg, Inc., 2014). Asados are an important

part of Argentine socializing on any occasion. The Argentine barbecue asado,

includes suculent types of meat, among them chorizo, sweetbread, chitterlings,

and morcilla (blood sausage). Thin sandwiches, known as sandwiches de miga,

are also popular. Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the

world (Steiger, 2010).

D. Mate

Mate drinking is also seen as a feature of the cultura rioplatense. Mate refers

both to the container where a popular infusion is prepared and to the drink itself.

The container might be simply made out of a gourd or might be carefully crafted

in silver or other metals. It is drunk with a special metal straw with holes in one

end to filter leaves. The slightly stimulating infusion is made with leaves from

the Yerba mate plant which is cultivated in northeast Argentina. (Advameg,

Inc., 2014).

Mate is not just a drink, for the Argentines means unity, friendship, family. The

Argentines spend hours drinking mate, but it is not the drink what matters, is the

conversation and the time you spend with the ones you love.

E. Etiquette

Both men and women greet each other by kissing on the cheek (Wikipedia,The

Free Encyclopedia, 2014). In very formal encounters men and women shake

hands the opposite Germany where shaking-hands is the common. They like to

do so both when arriving and when departing (Young Germany ). Germans

shake hands with everyone upon entering a room, including children.

People address each other with the colloquial form vos (singular "you,"

equivalent to tu in other Spanish speaking countries). To convey social

distance, people employ the more formal usted (to talk to elders).In Germany

the common is address each others with the person's title and surname until

invited to use their first name.

In Germany Social physical distance is common and a sign of respect.

Argentines might touch each other when talking and might feel awkward when

people of other countries, as Germans, reject physical proximity and contact.

Women and men gaze at each other, and it is still quite common that men use

piropos (flirtateous remarks) when a woman walks by.

Nationals Holidays.

Another important factor in Argentina is “Las fiestas patria”. The Patriotic

Holidays are festivities held in Latin America to commemorate the founding of

the national states as countries independent of Spain (Wikipedia,The Free

Encyclopedia, 2014).

Historic holidays include the celebration of the May Revolution (25 May),

Independence Day (9 July) and the National Flag Day (20 June).

a) May Revolution: is a public holiday of Argentina, commemorating

the May Revolution and the creation on May 25, 1810 of the Primera

Junta, which is considered the first patriotic government of Argentina

(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

b) Independence Day: is an annual event commemorating the

independence of Argentina from Spain. The day that Argentina becomes

a country (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

c) Anniversary of the death of Manuel Belgrano, who created the Flag of

Argentina (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

These are the three most important festivities in Argentina. In general people

celebrated this day with the Family and most of the Schools do special activities

with the kid and the parents.

In The past this festivities were really important for the society but nowadays

this traditions are starting to lose importance. Most of these festivities are being

replaced for foreign festivities as Halloween, carnival etc…

CONCLUSION.

Argentines have a feeling of belonging for Europe and for the main cultures that

made of Argentina. Argentines feel connected to Germany, Spain, and Italy

etc… because those countries helped to built Argentina, and thanks to them

and to its influence the Argentine culture is so special. Despite the fact of being

a mix of different cultures Argentina has development its own and unique

identity.

This paper demonstrated that Argentina has been influenced in various ways for

Germany. German influenced the society in ways that maybe are not easy to

see in the eye, you just may see a building in the middle of Buenos Aires, eat a

“medialuna” in a small town in the middle of la Pampa or even visit a Town in

Cordoba where just Germans are allow, all of those are little und unnoticed

details that show that we argentines are sons of Germany. Despite the facts

that Germany has been present almost since the beginning in Argentine, both

countries have grown significant apart. Nowadays Germany and Argentina just

share economics und business ties.

In the past are the days were Germans went to Argentina searching for a new

beginning, now and as a result of economic crisis, Argentines are coming back

to Europe.

Argentines have returned to their ancestors land, and time will prove of this new

flow of migration will have influence over the German society and if the

Argentines will help with the year to transform the German culture like the

Germans did in Argentina centuries ago.

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